How often have we received new computer hardware and we find that the only other item in the box is a single, folded sheet of very inadequate “instructions.” Or we need to use some software or social networking site or database that we have never dealt with before. We go online to find out how our object or site of interest works. We may or may not find further instructions or an online user manual. If we do find something, we quickly learn that the information is not written for beginners. The writer of what we have found assumes that the reader is an experienced user. It usually takes a big chunk of time for determined neophytes to discover anything useful.

We all find ourselves in this predicament at one time or another. In my case, librarian or not, if I’m doing something new, I’m a beginner. And where computers are concerned, there is always something new. We are inundated with suggestions and tips on our social networking sites and websites, as well as the insistent demands that come directly from our computer’s prompts. They all tell us we should do something. Unfortunately they neglect to tell us how.

Confronted with this problem, I start with the website of the company that produces the hardware, software or site. They are the experts, right? Like everyone else, I often waste a lot of time sifting through information I don’t need and not finding what I could actually use. I always seem to end up at the library’s online book catalog. I know I have a lot of company. The books I discover online are often already checked out by people trying to find the same answers I am looking for. Like every other patron, I have to put reserves on them and wait. Once I get a book, I have a fighting chance. I can actually have it open next to me while I’m fighting with my gizmo, software, database, antivirus update, or whatever else some diabolical mind has decided is needed to complicate my technological life.

FINDING BOOKS

I thought I would save you some time and recommend some good book series that you might want to try when you find yourself stymied. There are so many computer subjects that it is not feasible to go into each topic. Hence my list of book series. I would suggest looking for these in your local public library’s catalog rather than for immediate purchase. Don’t take out jsut one. Find several, perhaps one in each series. You can see which books work best for you. Different books may have different types of information. One may begin by telling you how to buy an item. Another might just jump in and tell you how to use it. Another may have more detailed instructions for setup, details that might be critical for a beginner’s understanding. In the long run you probably won’t save money by using library books first. But you will have a better working home library.

When I put [ ] with the name of a series, it’s up to you to replace the brackets with your topic of interest. Then you just continue typing the name of the series to see if the library owns it (online catalog) or if the book has been published on your topic in a particular series (wherever you order your books). Each series will have a number of authors writing on different topics. The only constants are the series title and the publisher. You can do a keyword search on the entire series by using the series title and the name of the publisher if you want to see all the books in a particular series. The best place to find all of a series title would be at the publishers website. Libraries can’t buy everything in all subjects. Just because they don’t own a book, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Once you find books you want, you can look for them throughout your library network’s catalog and suggest that your local library buy a particular book (or books) they don’t own.

The whole point of the following books is to turn someone who knows next to nothing about a computer related topic into someone who is knowledgeable and competent. Start your search with these series.

SUGGESTED SERIES

[ ]: The Missing Manual. Publisher: O’Reilly.

This is a brilliant title for a very good series. Each book was written with the express purpose of taking the place of the manual that was not with the computer, tablet, laptop, hardware, software, social networking site, etc.

For example, I was just looking up information on what can be done with an iPad. The author of iPad: The Missing Manual does not assume you know what you are doing. I like authors like this. This particular author begins at the beginning — by explaining how to set up an iPad. Then she takes readers on their first exploration of Apple’s tablet. The rest of the book shows the various ways this thing can be used. It suddenly goes from being an infernal gizmo to something that might actually be useful. Not all authors and their books do this.

[ ] in easy steps. Publisher: Easy Steps Limited. This one is published in Britain. I like the Brits. They are a sensible race.

As the title implies, this is another series that takes you step by step through the labyrinth of setting up, getting acquainted with, and using various computer related items. I find I have a special affinity for this particular series. Take a look at one and see if you agree with me.

Then there is Wiley Publishing. The following three series are all published by Wiley.

[ ] for Dummies. Publisher: Wiley Publishing

This is probably the most widely recognized of the computer help books. IDG Books was there first with their DOS for Dummies. They never looked back. It was so popular that IDG created a whole series of books covering computer based topics and then continued to expand into a large number of other topics. Their computer series has saved my technological life at the library on occasions too numerous to count. IDG was acquired by Wiley. “For Dummies” are still excellent books. Although not in color, their line drawings and other illustrations are easy to follow and their instructions are usually very straightforward. And I do not mind being considered a “dummy” if this gets me information I can work with.

I like illustrations. The more the merrier. The next two series have plenty. And they are in color. Since both are by the same publisher, I wondered why the company decided they needed two separate series. I discovered that Wiley has a hierarchy.

[ ]Simplified. Publisher: Wiley Publishing

This series is definitely just for beginners. If you don’t have a clue, start here.

Teach Yourself Visually [ ] . Publisher: Wiley Publishing

Feeling a little more adventurous? The Teach Yourself Visually starts at a beginner’s level, but then continues into areas that would be considered intermediate.

Until I find additional series that I find particularly useful, I will end here with my posting on books. If you find any of these particularly useful, please let me know. The same goes for a series you have used and like that I may not know. I and other who use this site will be extremely grateful.

Books are always my starting point. When writing a book, authors have the time to think about what they want to say and how they want to say it. A good how to author understands that readers are looking for information and need to have it explained carefully. Material is checked by others and often rewritten. For me, this is the best place to start. If I am pressed for time, which is usually the case, there are other sources that I can consult as well, especially while I’m waiting for those books to come in. I continue with these in the next posting below.

It’s a changing world out there and not always for the better. Have you ever noticed that new does not always mean improved? Just more complicated.

There used to be three reliable computer magazines that I often checked: Smart Computing (for beginners), PC World, and PC Magazine. The last two had a nice range of articles for every level, from beginners to experienced computer users. None now exist as either as hard copy or online magazines. If you own a Mac, however, you are in luck. Mac World still exists in a paper format.

If anyone reading this knows of a good, current computer magazine for beginners, or at least for non-techies, please let me know. It can be online or on paper.

USING WEBSITES

When looking at any website for the first time, you should always do three things.
1. Read the “About” section first.
2. Check for FAQs (frequently asked questions).
3. Look for tabs near the top of the home page that have a small v next to them. This denotes a down arrow that may or may not be filled in. Clicking on the arrow gives you a drop down menu. The selections offered will provide additional information.

Following these steps will keep you from wasting time on the wrong site and completely missing the perfect one.

I have found the websites that follow to be useful. Please read the descriptions accompanying each one. In them I give you additional tips for using the site and others like them.

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

Computer Newbies Help (Forum)http://www.newbiesforum.com/phpbb3
This site is a forum. Forums are places where you can ask questions. Often these have people who work for the forum both doing the monitoring and answering queries. Other times questions are only answered by whoever happens to be visiting the site. You will find other forums on your own. You will discover which best meets your needs and who are the best responders. The nice thing about this particular forum is that is expressly designed for newbies. Computer Newbies Help does not have an “About” section, but it does have FAQ’s. Make sure you check your section of interest for the date of the latest posting. Some of these will be as up-to-date as today. One hasn’t been posted to since 2011.

Kim Komando (Radio) Show (Up-to-Date Tech News and Advice)http://www.komando.com
Kim’s radio show has been around for years. The website is definitely worth a close look. At first there appears to be no place to ask a question or to access a topic. Near the top you will see a line of tabs: The words “The Show”, “Read” and “Watch” each have that v (down arrow) I mentioned above. Here you will find information about the show, forums and topics. Kim’s radio show and the home page of her website help direct you to some of the current topics of interest. You may have to dig a bit to find your topic of interest.

eHow — the how to do just about anything sitehttp://www.ehow.com/ehow-tech
This is one of the first “how to” sites I ever used and it is always worth a visit. The people who use it are the ones who provide the How tos. The entries are usually well written and easy to follow. (Ignore the ads that usually appear in the middle of the instructions.) Make sure you check the date the instructions were posted. If you need information on how to do something in Windows 8.1 and the post is dated 2012, it’s going to be dealing with the wrong version of Windows.

Top 10 Safe Computing Tips from MIT (if you are not feeling quite so brave)https://ist.mit.edu/security/tips
MIT may sound a little scary to a neophyte. Don’t let it deter you. These are good, basic rules of the road and will help keep the information on your computer safe. Another entry that is not dated, however.

Windows Basics for All Topics (for Windows 7)http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-basics-all-topics#1TC=windows-7
Nicely set up by topic. When you pull up an article though, the print is on the small side. To make print larger on your computer screen, hold down the Ctrl key (usually on the lower left hand corner of your keyboard) and tap the + key (usually upper right). To make it smaller again, do the same only with the – key.

The next two sites are from the perspective of the person on the other side, the person who is trying to help you. Reading this may help you to figure out exactly what you need to ask and how you need to ask it.

Technology for Genealogy Interest Group – Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/techgen
Some things are worth getting a Facebook Account for and this is one of them. Not only do you get a lot of tips, but you can ask a question. The answers come from people who have already had and solved the same problem you are having.
I do have a tip about using a site like this. I have never completely trusted social networking, so I have never used my name as a sign in. I chose something relevant instead. I decided on several monikers I would wanted to use and then tried to match it to a gmail account. If you decide on one screen name for everything, people are likely to get to know you and recognize you by that. It may take you some extra time. But it’s worth it.

Let’s face it. There are a lot of different resources out there that will help us track down elusive ancestors. It can be overwhelming. It’s tricky enough dealing with American ancestors. The problems multiply exponentially when you have to work your way back to one or more foreign countries. Over the years I have started putting together lists for patrons who need help, especially with foreign research. I create a list, store it, and add to it as I find more resources. If one person needs it, more will.

When I start a resource list, I pull together materials that I think will help a patron without overwhelming them. I always build off books we have here in the library. I can often request a purchase for a book we don’t have it if it is still in print. If not, I refer to holdings at other librarys. These books are usually within our (Minuteman) network, but not always. I can usually find at least one “how to” book that covers a specific country. I then use articles and Internet sources as supplements.

But once in a great while I can not find one book that zeros in on a specific country. Two examples of this are Spain and France. I have found no book entirely devoted to either country. Hispanic and French Canadian research, yes. But both involve research on this side of the Atlantic. I recently completed a list for Spain where I had to branch out beyond my usual resources. I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain various types of resources and where to find them. I’m hoping this will help you with your own research. You may even decide you want to make up a list for yourself or to help someone else.

Remember, if you are doing a research list, it can be short or long. It can be exhaustive or cursory. You can cover several categories or just one type of item like books or blogs. You create it to meet your needs. I would never attempt to create a list that was exhaustive unless it was for a large number of people interested in various aspects of one topic. An exhaustive list for just one person tends to be overwhelming and discouraging. It is fine to create a short list of particulars for yourself that also includes just general suggestions of where to go next. You could have a list of specific books that also includes “Check Cyndi’s List next” with a link.

If you do decide to create a list for yourself, I have one word of warning. Once you start looking for website suggestions, you will be tempted to explore a particularly enticing blog or website. Trust the voice of experience. (I make the mistakes first, then try to warn you away from doing the same thing.) It is best to finish up the areas you are trying to cover and then go back and explore. Otherwise your list may never get finished and you will miss items that may be of more use to you than the one you are exploring. You may want to delete the list of resources that do not work out for you. If it’s a list just for my own use, I have started copying and pasting the not so useful items to the bottom of the list under a heading like “Not Useful.” That way I don’t waste my time by rediscovering the same websites over time.

O.K., so where’s the list of resources? Here is your access if you want to see the list for Spain: RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHING SPANISH ANCESTORS. You should be able to click on this and take a look. If you know of any resources that I have missed, please let me know so that I can update my list.

Since this blog is already quite long, I have decided to make a separate blog entry for each type of resource you may want to use in your list. I’ve actually “cheated” a bit by finished all the postings and then adding each one in reverse order. All you have to do is read down. It is the first time I’ve tried this. Hope it helps.

Cohen, Chester G.Shtetl Finder: Jewish Communities in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries in the Pale of Settlement of Russia and Poland, and in Lithuania, Latvia, Galicia, and Bukovina, with Names of Residents. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1989. 929.1 COHEN

Mokotoff, Gary. Where Once We Walked: A Guide to the Jewish Communities Destroyed in the Holocaust. Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, 1991. R 940.531 M72W
Key reference for finding Jewish place names in Europe. Indexed by pronunciation.

Researching Family Names

Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. David L. Gold, special consultant for Jewish names. A Dictionary of Surnames. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988. R 929.42 H19D
This reference work includes a large number of Jewish, Russian, and German names. Especially useful is the index which includes variants, equivalents, derivatives and cognates. The introduction includes information on Jewish family names, surnames in the Soviet Union, surnames of Eastern Europe outside Russia, and surnames in German-speaking countries.

Every city and town generates many types of records for and from its citizens. Historic Newton at the Jackson Homestead has created a chart listing each type of record and where it can be found in the city. The chart is three pages long in pdf format. If you have a question about what city records are available, this is the place to check, especially when you need an answer quickly. Click Local History Resources to see the chart.

Since the chart does not have links to the various departments and sources cited, I am including them below. I give the records in the same order as the chart with links.

A number of items are located here at the Newton Free Library. The library is one department of the City of Newton and is located across Homer Street from City Hall.

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The Newton Genealogy Club

The Genealogy Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Special Collections Room of the Newton Free Library. Special Collections is on the first floor to your left as you are walking to the back of the library.

The club meets to share information on records and approaches for starting or extending participants’ genealogical research. Novices and experienced researchers are both welcome and encouraged to bring records and problems from their own research for discussion.

The coordinator of the club is Ginny Audet. Contact by email: NewtonGenealogyClub@gmail.com.